For the month of July, we encouraged people to take part in a Plastic Free campaign so we could help do our part in lowering plastic pollution for a cleaner, safer environment. These tips are great not only for the month but for a better, more environmentally conscious lifestyle as a whole!
August 05, 2020
Plastic Free July
See our list of tips below and see what you can do to make a change, not just for the environment but for yourself:
1. Use a reusable water bottle and refill it for free (use the Refill app for over 14,000 business in the UK that let you fill up for free!)
S'well reusable waterbottle, voted the "Best Reusable Bottle for 2019" by expert reviewing panel: Which? available on our site in a variety of colourways.
3. Use a resusable coffee cup you’ll find it’s often much cheaper to refill – Pret offer you a 50p discount on every hot drink
Ecoffee Cup 12oz in Marina Blue
4. Buy loose vegetables and fruit in the supermarket/greengrocer without the plastic packaging – it’s often much cheaper!
5. Use your local zero waste shop; it’s cheaper to buy in bulk, just take along your own containers and fill them up
6. Skip the disposable razor, loads of companies now offer plastic free razors, some on a subscription basis.
7. Always check that your cosmetics are plastic microbead free
8. If you use tampons don’t use the plastic applicator ones or try a Mooncup instead
9. Give up chewing gum – gum used to be made from natural rubber but it’s been replaced with synthetic rubber which is essentially plastic.
10. Buy washing powder in boxes rather than liquid and buy in bulk; it’s cheaper and there is less packaging.
11. Switch the shower gel and handwash for bars of soap
12. Replace cling film with reusable wraps from biodegradable and reusable alternatives such as beeswax and soy wax wraps.
13. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle as much plastic as possible – see your local council website for more information about recycling in your area.
14. If you are lucky enough to have a local milkman who delivers using glass bottles – sign up!
15. Ever tried a shampoo bar? Neither had we but they are brilliant!
16. Bin the plastic toothbrush – there are so many bamboo alternatives now
17. Buy toilet roll that’s not wrapped in plastic – we particularly love Who Gives a Crap brand, whose paper comes in a cardboard box. The company gives 50% of its profits to build toilets and sanitation projects in developing countries.
18. Support businesses and restaurants that are committed to sustainable packaging.
19. Reuse the plastic that you already have as much as possible.
20. Buy yourself a set of reusable cutlery in a carry case and keep it in your bag.
21. We love a crisp and a bit of dip but most crisp packets are not recyclable meaning they go straight to landfill, why not try a homemade pitta chip or make some veggie crisps?
22. Love your fizzy water? Then invest in a Sodastream for an endless supply and easy to recycle gas canisters.
23. Drink loose tea – it might be a surprise to you that tea bags can contain polypropylene to help seal the bags, the good news is that PG Tips are now biodegradable.
24. Find your local Terracycle site - TerraCycle offers free recycling programmes funded by brands, manufacturers, and retailers around the world to help you collect and recycle your hard-to-recycle waste
